Risk analysis by Monte Carlo simulation in underground rock excavation projects

Abstract

Underground excavations are among the most complex engineering works in existence, as they have many variables involved, from the working environment to the methods and equipment adopted for excavation. Historically, preliminary excavation projects have been developed based on empirical methods and qualitative or semi-quantitative classifications of rock mass. Given insufficient information regarding rock mass properties, due to technical limitations related to soundings and their interpretations, there is—from conceptual studies and project executions—great variability in the decisions to be made. Wrong decisions regarding the excavation method, support type, and projections of advances can be highly costly to the enterprise, leading to unplanned or unnecessary expenses and/or risks to human lives. Thus, this study proposes the use of quantitative Risk Analysis by Monte Carlo Simulations to determine the most likely support class to be applied in an underground excavation project.

Keywords

• mining
• tunneling
• conceptual design
• support